5 most famous NFL players who entered the world of politics ft. Herschel Walker and more
When NFL players retire, they often seek new opportunities and career paths. Many retired players remain in the world of football, such as in coaching or broadcasting, while many others venture out to pursue something in a completely different field.
A different path that some retired NFL players have chosen is to enter into politics. They have sometimes decided to use their fame and resources to make a difference in the political world. Here are five of the most famous NFL players who have chosen to enter politics following their football careers.
#5 - Anthony Gonzalez
Anthony Gonzalez was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft after a successful college football career with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He spent five seasons with Peyton Manning as his quarterback, where he recorded 109 career receptions for 1,483 yards and eight touchdowns.
Incredible to hear from U.S. Representative Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio. Representative Gonzalez played college ball at Ohio State before moving on to the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts. https://t.co/cOEEwK48T9
Following his retirement, Gonzalez announced in 2018 that he would be running as a Republican for the House of Representatives in Ohio. The election for the position took place in 2020, where he was victorious. He served two years in office before deciding not to run for re-election in 2022.
#4 - Jon Runyan
Jon Runyan spent 14 seasons in the NFL, where he was one of the best offensive tackles in the league. His prime years were with the Philadelphia Eagles and he was eventually selected into their team Hall of Fame.
Immediately following his retirement in 2009, Runyan became interested in running for Congress. He was elected to the House of Representatives for New Jersey in 2010 and was re-elected for a second term in 2012. He withdrew from the running again in 2014, ending his term in office.